February 2012 .:. Biz Goals

 

So this is my cat, spying on the cat next door who's spying on a crow in the grass. It somehow seemed the perfect Meetup photo for this month. I think first because it made me laugh, and second, I love the intensity and focus that both of the cats possess. And the crow, well he/she knew the cats were there, and just ignored them. There was a deck and a fence between them, and the crow was busy picking up seeds.

They all kept their focus on the task at hand, and they all stayed on task. SO it's my new metaphor for getting the tasks at hand done: think cat spying on cat spying on crow, and crow continuing to do a crow's business.

January came and went, and since the goals I listed for January are really about Jan-Mar, they are MORE my first quarter goals. I've made progress on a few things, and getting close to completion on a few more, so I am going to leave this list up and keep updating and crossing out till it's DONE (and dusted), and then move on to the second quarter. I'm testing this out as a new way to function and a way to keep up on those larger goals as well as all the small actions that accomplish those larger goals.

Am feeling ready for February and good about my progress so far. Wow. that feels good to write!

JAN-MAR 2012 Goals

1. Identify and contact 2-3 potential licensors over the next 3 months - Have identified 5, and now need to put together queries.
2. Get packages off to the 2 companies that are interested in my design work
3. Re-work and FINISH artist statement for website and for portfolio - working on it!
4. Pattern design - create 2-3 series
5. Start flower painting series for licensing. 12 images. Seasonal. Pen & Ink and Paint.
6. Put a list together of 10-12 people I know and ask them about what methods they have used to market their work.
7. Write announcements and press releases about my current work. Target 10-15 blogs and SEND them out!
8. Work more on branding and ask for testimonials/words from peers. - putting a list together of people to ask for "praise".
9. Re-evaluate ALL of these things as the days and week pass, and listen to my own voice and re-evaluate their importance/priority
10. Add to this list with any new ideas/possibilities
11. Create for FUN and JOY.

February is making it's entrance, and now for the year that winter never really, truly arrived in many parts of the world (I know some of you have been snowed in but not to many) so, will Phil see his shadow on the 2nd? Hope you all have a great start to February!

And for anyone working at better writing skills, better branding and beng an alla round better publicist for your own work: a new book is available called: Recipe for Press by Amy Flurry. I just ordered my copy, and hoping to get some great tips.

________________________

IF you are new to The Meetup or would like to play along, here's the scoop:

• Post a list of your business related goals for the current month on the 1st of each month on your blog. {If the 1st falls on a weekend, post on the following Monday.}
• Come back over here and leave a link to your goals blog post in the comments of my current month's goals.
• And then {and this is the most important part, since we are a community} visit all the links in the comments, stop in and say hello, have a conversation, meet and greet and etc.

Comments

[Genevieve]

I'm new to The Meetup and posting my goals for the first time. I love the idea of putting them out there to make them a little more real and to feel a little more accountable.

Great to see you making progress on your list, Liz! It sounds like your larger focus is getting your work out to a broader audience and representing yourself in the best possible light. Great goals for the first quarter.

Here's my Feb goals post, http://www.lightboxsf.com/journal/2012/1/31/february-business-goals.html

[Kristen from Creative Stash]

Love that you are working on your goals for the quarter, Liz. Sounds like a great way to keep the bigger picture in mind. Sounds like you are ready to get your work out there in many different avenues. I think your work lends itself really well to licensing, good luck on your queries!

Thank you for the book, I made a note to check it out when I'm ready to really dive into the promoting stage.

Well, I am finally ready to start my year. Brig it on 2012. Here are my Feb goals: http://kf-creativestash.blogspot.com/2012/02/february-goals.html

[Deborah]

I'm baaaaa-aaaack :). Love you goals, Liz. Almost completely moved in to my new website and have my Feb goals posted with a link to my goals for the year. I love your focus. You can do it! My goals:
http://www.graysonstudios.com/2012/02/02/the-meet-up-february-business-goals/

[twitter.com/CandiedFabrics]

Quarterly goals and re-evaluations are very wise! You don't want to loose the forest for the trees. Good luck with all the marketing stuff - I totally suck at it!!!!

I actually got off to a quick start this year and now have a big commitment to follow through on:
http://www.candiedfabrics.com/2012/02/01/meetup-january-goals/

Come on February, bring it on!

[Lindsey]

Good luck with your quarterly goals, that's really smart :)

This month so far has been all about running late, but here are my goals - I'm trying to be ambitious this month!

http://fallenpeach.wordpress.com/2012/02/02/february-goals-2012/

[Debbie]

Hey Liz,
I like the way you are focusing on marketing. It would be wonderful to see you work all over the place. Marketing is a place where I am a bit stuck so you are proving to be an inspiration. Thank you...Have a fabulous next few months!

Here's what I'm up to this month...http://bluehourstudio.blogspot.com/2012/02/its-time-for-february-meetup.html

[Pippin]

Liz I love the photo of your cat. I miss having one. Your New website is beautiful! Truly. I will join the meet up group next month. I have time to really focus on my artwork,because I was laid off last week. Truly the best thing that could have happen. Will you be going to boulder in April for the retreat? If so, I will be there painting up a storm with Flora.
xoxo